Founded in 2018, South Shore Joint Initiative is a registered charity based in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. We are governed by a Board of Directors elected from our membership. Learn about our volunteer board members below.
View current Board opportunities here.
To become a member, click here.
2024/2025 SSJI Board of Directors:
John Hirsch, President
Cheryl Anderson, Vice-President
Amy Bodman
Geoff Craig
John Foster
Gurpreet Patheja
Barb Tomlin, Treasurer
John Hirsch, President
John had a long career in the Federal government with Canada Customs. Later he was a private sector Customs and trade consultant and wound up his professional career in warehouse and transportation logistics in the Toronto area. Upon retiring to the County in 2014 with his wife and cats, John got involved in community service, primarily in the areas of environment and conservation – especially in respect of the PEC South Shore.
Volunteer and Community Involvement Prince Edward County since 2014
- 2018 – Founding Director and President of the South Shore Joint Initiative
- 2016 – Present -Director of CCSAGE – County Coalition for Safe and Appropriate Green Energy
- 2015 – 2017 -Appellant in the successful WPD White Pines ERT appeal
- 2015 – Present -Board member Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory
- 2015 – Appointed to the Board of Quinte Conservation Authority by the Municipality of Prince Edward County
Persuaded by many people in the environmental movement, John ran in the municipal election in 2018 and now represents Ward 9 South Marysburgh. In this capacity, he sits on the Board of Quinte Conservation, the Audit Committee, Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee and now the newly formed Environmental Advisory Committee.
My participating in the formation of SSJI in 2018 was a natural outshoot of being involved with a bunch of passionate environmentalists in the successful fight against the wind turbines which saved Blandings turtles.
Since then, it has been gratifying, rewarding and educational to work with this group of focused, driven protectors of the South Shore. Each victory brings us even closer together!
Cheryl Anderson, Vice-President
Cheryl Anderson arrived in Prince Edward County in 2003 after retiring from a career in biochemistry research at the University of Guelph. In Guelph, Cheryl served in several positions of the executive of the Guelph Field Naturalists; and, as a member of the Guelph Round Table on the Environment and Economy, she chaired a Community Involvement Program to write a Green Plan for the City of Guelph. In Prince Edward County Cheryl has served on the executive board of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and currently is a board member of the South Shore Joint Initiative. Her interest in the natural world has led to advocacy for the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.
As we fought to keep industrial wind turbines out of the pathway of millions of migrating birds, bats and butterflies, the necessity to preserve the special place that is the South Shore became urgent. A network of passionate environmentalists, from many organizations was formed to support and protect the biodiversity of the South Shore. SSJI gives me the opportunity to work with experienced and talented people to achieve our common goal.
Amy Bodman is on the Executive of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and the PEC Trails Committee and is a member of the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. She is also a writer, a filmmaker and a nature enthusiast. She lives in Wellington.
I have been on the SSJI Board since the organization began. I have greatly enjoyed working with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team of people who like to get out in nature and do things. I have learned a lot about both the natural and cultural heritage of the South Shore and its varied history and am constantly amazed by this special place. I am immensely proud of what SSJI has accomplished so far, particularly with getting Ontario’s first Conservation Reserve declared in over 15 years.
I look forward to the next steps involving the formation and implementation of a management plan.
Geoff Craig
Geoff’s involvement with the County stretches back 40 years to visiting and camping at Sandbanks in younger days with friends and family. In 2004, he bought a site on Smith’s Bay for his retirement home, and built there in 2017. Now recently retired and looking to expand his activities, the enjoyment of exploring all that the County has to offer over the years, has fueled his interest in both understanding and preserving the biodiversity of the South Shore. He recognizes that full community support will be required for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a generational benefit for migratory birds, species at risk, natural core areas, and County residents. He is excited and dedicated to working to make a "point to point" South Shore Eco Footpath come to life.
In his past life he was a marketing and NFP executive, including working on the Dove Real Beauty campaign, and Chief Marketing and Development Officer at Heart and Stroke.
The permanent protection of our South Shore is a legacy gift that requires talented and committed volunteers. It is very rewarding to be involved with like minded people for this great cause!
Working on the strategic priority of a point-to-point footpath will be something that hopefully my grandchildren will enjoy.
John Foster
I started out liking trees, then birds and wildflowers and more. I have gained a connection to and appreciation for the natural environment. I put aside time to do photography, sketch, paint and read about what I naturally encounter. It's important for me to advocate for and support environmental causes. I like to volunteer for these. As a part of SSJI, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of fellow members, experienced the enthusiasm that is our group, and made several new friends. It's important, to speak for and to work for the conservation of the South Shore now and into the future.
I have been with SSJI since its inception. I joined the SSJI Board to advocate for native plants and their habitats that are Prince Edward County's South Shore. I have been afforded the opportunity to meet and work with fellow members, experienced the enthusiasm of our group, and made several new friends. Then, as a Director and Newsletter Editor for SSJI, I get to speak for and work for the conservation of the South Shore, now and into future. That is an important cause to volunteer for.
Gurpreet Patheja, JD
Gurpreet is a seasoned entrepreneur and lawyer with over a decade of experience in navigating the complex legal landscape of property law and contract negotiations so as to best advocate for her clients. In addition to her professional work, Gurpreet is passionate about giving back to the community, a virtue instilled in her by her grandparents. As a student completing her Juris Doctor degree at Osgoode Hall Law School , Gurpreet worked at the Community and Legal Aid Services Program providing free legal services to low-income residents of Toronto and York University Students, putting into practice her passion to give back to the community.
With a deep passion for nature and environmental conservation, Gurpreet actively engages in initiatives that promote the protection of our planet. Gurpreet enjoys gardening and finds tremendous joy in exploring the natural beauty of Ontario, and in her free time enjoys bicycling with her partner, walking her dog and kayaking on Lake Ontario in Prince Edward County.
Gurpreet considers herself lucky to be a part of the Prince Edward County community and recognizes the importance of protecting the South Shore so that generations to come may enjoy its natural beauty.
In addition to her legal work , Gurpreet loves to travel and discover new landscapes and different ways in which passionate people globally are working to protect the environment. As a member of the Board of Directors for the South Shore Joint Initiative , Gurpreet looks forward to leveraging her expertise and passion to further the organizations mission of environmental stewardship and community engagement.
I joined the Board of Directors for the South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) because the South Shore of Prince Edward County is special to me. It’s one of the last undeveloped shorelines of Lake Ontario, home to unique wildlife and the migratory paths of birds and butterflies. This space represents a delicate balance of nature and community that I am passionate about protecting.
The value of sewa—selfless service—instilled by my grandparents, drives me to contribute my time and expertise to ensure future generations can experience the same sense of wonder, peace, and connection that I have found here.
Working with SSJI allows me to help safeguard this land through education, collaboration, and action. Together, we can protect these vital spaces and keep the magic of nature alive for generations to come.
Barb Tomlin
I joined the SSJI Board in April 2023 to help out by replacing the outgoing treasurer, and also, to meet new people. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working together with this group of passionate South shore enthusiasts. It has been great to join in and contribute to a worthwhile cause - promoting the conservation and awareness of Prince Edward County’s South Shore. Whether it be making event signs, getting creative with birdhouses to raise funds, or helping out on the footpath, there is something for everyone, while supporting an important and worthwhile cause!
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